Name: Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Sriracha-Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 24 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound salmon filet (skin removed); ½ cup flour; 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning; 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons water; ½ cup panko bread crumbs; ½ cup regular bread crumbs; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon salt; Oil spray or brush for air fryer basket and salmon nuggets; ⅓ cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon sriracha (more to taste); Fresh dill for garnish

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Introduction

These air fryer salmon nuggets are a crispy, flavorful treat that’s easy to make at home. Perfect as a snack or a main dish, they come with a spicy sriracha mayo dip that adds a delicious kick. Using the air fryer keeps them light and crispy without deep frying.

Air Fryer Salmon Nuggets with Sriracha-Mayo Dipping Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 pound salmon filet (skin removed)
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
½ cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup regular bread crumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sriracha (more to taste)
Fresh dill (for garnish)
Oil for spraying or brushing

Instructions

Step 1: Chop the salmon into 1 inch chunks and pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine the flour and Old Bay seasoning.
Step 3: In a second dish, whisk together the eggs and 2 tablespoons of water.
Step 4: In a third dish, mix the panko, regular bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Step 5: Coat each salmon chunk first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg wash, and finally coat with the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 6: Lightly oil the air fryer basket and arrange the salmon nuggets in a single layer. Spray the nuggets liberally with oil.
Step 7: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again with oil to ensure crispiness.
Step 8: While cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha to create the dipping sauce.
Step 9: Once cooked, sprinkle the salmon nuggets with fresh dill and serve warm with the sriracha mayo dip.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, use freshly toasted panko bread crumbs instead of store-bought.
Adjust the sriracha amount in the dipping sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
Substitute Old Bay seasoning with a mix of paprika and celery salt if you don’t have it on hand.
Try adding lemon zest to the bread crumb mixture for a bright citrus flavor.

Storage

Store leftover salmon nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes to regain their crispiness. The dipping sauce is best made fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before cutting and breading to avoid soggy nuggets.

Is it necessary to use both panko and regular bread crumbs?

Using both creates a balance of extra crunch from panko and a finer coating from regular bread crumbs, but you can use just panko if preferred for a lighter texture.